Student Employment FAQ's

Q: How and where can I find a job?

A:All Westmont students have access to WestmontLink, our free online job site. Through this site you will be able to view all on-and off-campus job listings, announcements related to visitnig recruiters, and more. Go to http://www.westmont.edu./findajob to register.

Westmont supervisors post jobs several weeks prior to your arrival and new positiosn are addeed daily at the beginning of each semester. You are strongly encouraged to check the online postings regaulraly and apply promptly since on-campus positions are filled very quickly. Do not hesitate to follwo up with a supervisor soon after applying as supervisors are often busy preparing for the start of the school year.

All job listings, both on-and off-campus can be found under the tab Jobs and Internships and are called WestmontLink Jobs and Internships. Most positions will require you to have a resume on file in your WestmontLink account in order to apply. If you do not havea resume to upload, you can create one easily using Resume Builder (under the Documents tab on the WestmontLink Home page)

Off campus jobs include ongonig and temporary listings for childcare, gardening, office work, tutoring, and other miscellaneous indoor and outdoor work. You will need to make the appropriate ararngements regarding transportation to these positiions. The Westmont shuttle and Dial-A Ride services can be utiliized as a resource, and some employers are willing to pick up students on-campus.

** We are committed to helping you find employment at Westmont, and there are hundreds of on-campus jobs, but it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to be actively searching for employment.

If you would like to learn how to utilize WestmontLink to your full advantage contact:

Lori Ann Banez
Student & Alumni Employment Coordinator
Office of Life Planning
lbanez@westmont.edu
(805) 565-6263


Q: When should I begin looking for a job on campus?

A: The peak times for finding employment on campus are August-September and December-January, when the majority of available jobs on campus are posted.  We would encourage you to (Wise students) act quickly during these times, as jobs are filled quickly and opportunities dwindle as the semester progresses.  If you have trouble finding a job despite a concentrated effort, contact Lori Ann Banez in the Office of Life Planning. 

What is the on-campus employment process?

Once you have been selected by a campus department, your supervisor will create a Temporary Employment Agreement (TEA) for you.  You will receive an email with a link to your TEA, which you should look over and “Accept” if you are in agreement with its terms.  Once you have accepted your TEA, you will be directed to electronically generate an I-9 form (if you have not previously filled one out on campus).

Once your I-9 is printed, you will bring it to your supervisor along with your Work Authorization Documentation - the ORIGINAL documents proving your eligibility and authorization to work in the United States.   If you fail to bring the original documents necessary to complete your I-9 Verification, you will not be allowed to begin working, and risk losing a job you may have been selected for.  A supervisor will not hold a job for you if you do not have your original documents with you on-campus.

How many hours should I work?

We recommend that students limit their work week to 6-10 hours per week when classes are in session.  As a new student we suggest that you pay particular attention to this advice as you adjust to college life and to your class load.

 What is work-study?

Federal Work-Study is a form of financial aid which is awarded to students based on financial need. These funds are available to students through the wages they earn working in certain positions on and off campus. Your financial aid packet informs you as to whether or not you have been awarded federal work-study funds.  You may also check with the Office of Financial Aid. Some on-campus jobs, such as jobs related to chapel and fundraising, are exempt from hiring work-study students.  When applying for a job make sure the hiring supervisor knows you have received a work-study award.  (Please note that if you are a work-study student, you must indicate your status in the Applicant Type field of your Profile on WestmontLink.  If you fail to do so, you will not be able to view the jobs available to you.)

There are also off campus work-study opportunities available.  Most off-campus jobs require a car, as they are a distance from the college.  However, there are some jobs within walking distance or accessible using Westmont’s shuttle or Dial-a-Ride service.  These off-campus work-study jobs are posted on WestmontLink and will be listed under the position type “Off-Campus Work-Study”.  If you are hired for an off-campus work-study position, you must make an appointment with the Student and Alumni Employment Coordinator to fill out the appropriate paperwork.

Lori Ann Banez, Student and Alumni Employment Coordinator
805-565-6263, lbanez@westmont.edu

How will I get paid?

All student employees are required to fill out a timecard. http://timecard.westmont.edu The timecard must be signed by the employee and the supervisor and turned in to the Business Office (Kerwood Hall) in accordance with the Student Pay Schedule.  (Students working in off-campus work-study programs must submit their timecards to Lori Ann Banez in the Office of Life Planning (Voskyul Library) by 9am on the day timecards are due.)  The  Payroll Office issues paychecks every two weeks.  These checks can be found in your student mailbox unless you choose to receive your funds through direct deposit.  Forms for direct deposit are provided with your first paycheck.  Click on the link to view the Student Pay Schedule.

 

What about Meal Breaks and, Rest Periods? The state of California has made it mandatory for all employees to take meal breaks and rest periods after working a certain number of hours in a day. State laws prohibit hourly employees from waiving meal breaks or rest periods in order to leave early or make up for lost time. "On Duty" meal breaks are permitted only when the nature of the work prevents the employee from being relieved from all duty. Please refer to the chart below for more information.

Work Period
-5hrs
 +5 hrs +6 hrs
+10 hrs but less
than 12
+12 hrs
Req. 30 min. meal break
NO
Yes, but can be waived
YES
Yes, during first 6 hrs, 2nd break may be waived
Yes, one during each
6 hr. period.

Am I eligible for overtime or holiday pay? Overtime pay is one and a half times the regular hourly rate for hours worked in excess of eight hours in a work day.Students paid an hourly wage are eligible for overtime pay. Student workers are not eligible for paid holidays during the school year, but may be eligible for summer holiday pay, if they meet the all the following criteria:
* Be scheduled to and actually work a minimum of 32 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks over the period of May- August.
* Be normally scheduled to work on the day which is designated as a holiday and have recorded holiday hours on the time card.

What about problems on the job, safety, injury or sexual harassment? If there is any problem with either your on or off campus job that do not wish to discuss with your supervisor, please feel free to contact any member of the staff of the Office of Life Planning.
Injuries - If you are injured while involved at work, you MUST report your injury to your supervisor who will then contact Human Resources.
Work Safety - It is our desire to maintain a safe work environment for students. Please be sure to attend a job safety session with Tom Bauer, head of Public Safety. Contact your supervisor for more details.
Harassment - Westmont is committed to providing an environment free of unlawful harassment. Please click on the link and scroll down to the Student Handbook to view Westmont College's Harassment Policy


Additional Questions?

Contact the Student and Alumni Employment Coordinator:
LoriAnn Banez
805-565-6263
lbanez@westmont.edu